Done.

The above word sums up one John Smoltz, who got raked over the coals in the Bronx on Thursday. The numbers are simply butt-ugly. It makes no sense in going over the highlights, as there are none.

I said before this game that if Smoltz gets bombed by New York, giving up say, five or six runs in about four innings, then the party would be over. He wasn't even that good, as he allowed a staggering 8 runs in just over 3 innings.

Smoltz could be an effective member of the pen, but I would bet he doesn't want to do that. His signing over the winter was heralded as the equivalent of a great deadline deal, as he'd be in the Sox rotation by mid-season.

Smoltz has been a colossal failure. No sense sugarcoating it. I can't see how any kind of positive spin can be put on this, or how the Red Sox can continue to trot him out there every five days. He's a great pitcher who has seen his best days. And it's sad to see him struggle like this.

John Smoltz is finished as a starting pitcher. It just isn't there any more. Lefties are eating him for dinner. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and nothing, no matter how bad this is, can change that.

I pray the Red Sox realize that, and now. Who takes Smoltz' place if they do?

With Tim Wakefield out for the forseeable future, the options aren't great. There doesn't appear to be anyone in the minors ready to make the big step.

The Red Sox took a chance on Smoltz, a chance worth taking. But it didn't work out. It's time to move on.